Tutorpip← About this lessonOpen the sheet →Download PDF
Grade 6 · Maths · Lessons
Dividing by a fraction
➗divide🔄flip✖️multiply🎀ribbon
Dividing by a fraction.
The big ideaTo divide by a fraction, turn it over and multiply.

How it works

To divide by a fraction, turn it over and multiply.

3/5 ÷ 5/6 = 3/5 × 6/5 = 18/25.

To divide by a whole number, divide the bottom by it: 7/8 ÷ 3 = 7/24.

Turn 5/6 over:6/5Multiply: 3/5 ×6/5Tops: 3 × 6 =18Bottoms: 5 × 5= 25
3/5 ÷ 5/6.

Example 1: A fraction by a fraction

  1. 3/5 ÷ 5/6.
  2. Turn 5/6 over and multiply: 3/5 × 6/5.
  3. 3 × 6 = 18 and 5 × 5 = 25, so 18/25.

Example 2: A fraction by a whole number

  1. 7/8 ÷ 3.
  2. Dividing by 3 is multiplying by 1/3.
  3. 7/8 × 1/3 = 7/24.

Example 3: A story

  1. A ribbon is 3/5 yard long and is cut into pieces 1/4 yard long.
  2. 3/5 ÷ 1/4 = 3/5 × 4 = 12/5.
  3. 12/5 is 2 2/5 pieces.

Words to know

reciprocal
A fraction turned over.
quotient
The answer to a division.

Watch out

Try it

  1. 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = ?
  2. 2/3 ÷ 4 = ?
  3. How many 1/3s in 2?
  4. What do you do to the second fraction?
Answers: 1. 2 · 2. 1/6 · 3. 6 · 4. turn it over
For grown-upsAsk how many 1/4-cup scoops fit in 3/4 of a cup.
Open these notes on screenScan the code, or go to tutorpip.com.